~Los Angeles Radio People, Archives 1997

LARadio.com
Archives 1997
Compiled and written by
Don Barrett
db@thevine.net

KLSX Talk Show Hosts in Brawl

(September 9, 1997) "Real Radio," KLSX got real real yesterday. Evening talk show host Riki Rachtman "cold-cocked" midday host Doug Steckler. Paramedics were dispatched to the station. According to the L.A. Times, Rachtman was ragging on Steckler's age and Steckler was ragging on Rachtman's girlfriend, who works in the adult-film business. Hey, it worked for a moment or two for Morton Downey, Jr., and Geraldo Rivera. The station ran the "Best of" today. How would you like to be a fly on the wall at 3580 Wilshire Boulevard?

KLSX Firing

(September 12, 1997) Riki Rachtman did get fired from KLSX. The search is on for a replacement.

Emperor Bob Hudson Dies

(September 20, 1997) Longtime fans of "Emperor" Bob Hudson will be saddened to learn that he died this morning at 10:30. According to his wife, he passed away quietly after asking her for his usual morning cup of coffee. When she came back a few minutes later, she thought he was asleep. "Get off the freeway, your Highness is coming." Bob was voted one of the Top 10 djs in Southern California between 1957 and 1997.

Mark & Brian Become Stars

(September 25, 1997) Mark and Brian were brought to tears as their Star unveiling took place this morning. It hadn't rained in L.A. for 250 days until this morning but nothing could dampen the ceremonies. Big stars turned out: Billy Bob Thornton, Kevin Pollack, Gary Coleman and John Travolta. Part of what Travolta said: "Mark and Brian are two of the most decent fellows I've ever known. They're about family. They're about humor without hurting anyone's feelings. They're the better part of ourselves." KLOS personalities Rita Wilde and Chuck Moshontz handled the live on-air broadcast. At one stage it sounded like Chuck and Rita were almost brought to tears during the festivities. Rita said it well: "Mark and Brian have meant so much to all of us for so long."

Jazzbeaux Collins Dies

(September 30, 1997) Al "Jazzbeaux" Collins died in Mill Valley, California. Known to jazz lovers as the creator of the Purple Grotto - a fantasy underground that served as the backdrop for his radio show - passed away following a long battle with prostate cancer. His radio success was in New York and San Francisco, however, he worked at KMET in 1968, KFI from 1969-71 and KGBS in 1971. He had been hosting a jazz weekend show on the San Francisco Peninsula at KCSM-San Mateo. He was 78.

John Schubeck Dies

(October 6, 1997) TV newsman John Schubeck died last week. He briefly reported editorials on KIEV in 1993. Daily Variety's Peter Bart filled his column with stories about John. "A big, burly man who enjoyed his alcohol, Schubeck kept a coffee mug full of rum just off camera, but viewers now and then could see him take a swig during what he thought was a break. Once, upon finishing his 5 p.m. segment, he started introducing the anchor for the next hour, but couldn't remember his name. Sometimes he would run stories together, so that an explosion in Montebello resulted in four casualties in Pacoima - viewers were left to their own devices to figure out the surreal melodrama. Nonetheless, Schubeck was a serious and highly intelligent man who read the New York Times and the Economist in the newsroom and, while anchoring at night, completed law school by day...By the time he was in his late 50s, he was rattling around independent stations in places like Palm Desert, and it had become quite obvious, even in those sleepy places, that Schubeck was drinking too much." He died, penniless at age 61.

(October 31, 1997) Walt "Baby" Love writes:

"I was just reading some of your information about me from the past and my current life. It was really nice to see how 'right-on-time' you were and correct. I also want to thank you for your kind words about my fill-in fun loving opportunity at K-Earth a few months ago. On October 18, 1997, we won the Billboard Monitor Best R&B Radio Program of the Year. In L.A. we're heard on KKBT [92.3FM] on Sunday mornings. Once again, thank you so very much for your kindness and thoughtfulness. God's blessings." (waltlove@ix.netcom.com)

Voiceover Guys Love LARP Book

(November 5, 1997) Favorite voice of CBS/TV and Fox-TV and formerly heard on KHTZ, KKHR and KIIS/FM, Joe Cipriano emailed: "Your book has been the 'talk' at voiceover sessions all over L.A. As you know, there are many of us V/O guys who started out as Los Angeles Radio People. Today I bumped into John Leader and Mark Elliot. At another session, I saw Neil Ross and Beau Weaver and at yet another session I saw Gary Owens.

KABC's Larry Elder Cut in Half

(November 11, 1997) At quarter to five yesterday afternoon on KABC, Larry Elder addressed the issue of his show hours being cut in half. He said that when he started in the evenings Joel Roberts was replaced and Joel was gracious and professional. When Larry moved to afternoons, he replaced Gloria Allred and Gloria was gracious and professional. Larry said that he would also be gracious and professional. He said: "I don't own this candy store. Two hours is better than no hours and the station is allowing me to pursue syndication opportunities."

"Tyll Has a Rather Generic Broadcast Voice" - LA Times

(November 12, 1997) The L.A. Times reported on Ed Tyll's new KABC show this morning. Reporter Judith Michaelson quoted freely from Tyll's on-air declaration that he intends to focus on Southern California and on the lives of real people. She went on to say: "Whether Tyll, who has a rather generic broadcast voice, will bring a whole new world to talk radio or simply the same old thing, remains to be heard.

KBIG Morning Host Profiled in LA Times

(November 13, 1997) Morning host at KBIG, Sylvia Aimerito, was profiled in the L.A. Times this morning. When asked why there are so few women in morning drive, Sylvia replied: "There are some excellent strong women in every walk of life and radio is one of them. I'm lucky enough to be in the position of doing it." On-air she never mentioned the three-page profile until her newsman sidekick, veteran Paul Freeman, brought it up. Great photo of Sylvia.

KBIG Morning Host Fired

(November 14, 1997) No sooner had the three-page spread on Sylvia Aimerito appeared in the LA Times yesterday, she was fired from the station. Let go along with Sylvia was the morning show producer, newsman sidekick Paul Freeman and midday personality Mark Taylor who had been with the station since 1988.

Little Ricci Moving to KIBB

(November 18, 1997) Little Ricci Filiar is leaving morning drive at KRLA for music chores at the newly formatted (as of 7 p.m. November 19) KIBB. "Huggie Boy" is moving to mornings. "Remember...Others imitate. But none can duplicate the sound found here...The Huggie Boy Show must be the best. It's outlasted all the rest."

Mikel Herrington Dies

(November 19, 1997) KRLA historian Bill Earl checked in this morning to say that Mikel Herrington Hunter had passed away November 16 in Fremont, California. Mikel spent almost a decade in Southern California starting at KFI in 1969 followed by KLAC, KRLA, KMET and KGBS/FM. He had an active voiceover career which included being the national voice for Sears.

KIBB Kicks Off New Format

(November 20, 1997) KIBB kicked off its new format last night at 7 at the same time executives within Chancellor Media Corporation celebrated the new format with a party for ad agency folk, media buying services and sales reps. At the party CEO Scott Ginsberg said that he was asking around for a joke to kick off his presentation and he said that everyone commented that "KIBB had been a joke." New pd Harold Austin was introduced along with Chancellor's CPO Steve Rivers and corporate gms. War performed live.

Huggy Boy to Mornings at KRLA

(December 1, 1997) New morning man at KRLA started this morning. Dick Hugg "Huggie Boy," the biggest ratings-getter at KRLA when he was on in the evenings, attempts to parlay his magic to mornings. KRLA must be planning more sports for evenings or evening horse racing.

Bill Sommers Returns to ABC LaCienega Complex

(December 3, 1997) Bill Sommers is the new gm of KABC/KLOS/KDIS. Bill was with KLOS from 1973 until his retirement last year to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Departing is gm Maureen Lesourd who joined the L.A. operation on May 1, 1996, and for 18 months the three stations went through a tumultuous tenure with format changes, personnel upheaval and general unhappiness. One staffer was "giddy" after the change was announced this morning.

KFWB's Vince Campagna Dies

(December 6, 1997) Longtime KFWB newsman Vince Campagna died today within days following his retirement. Rich Buhler has written a very moving tribute to Vince at: (www.lifechange.com/oldtimers/kfwb.htm )

Times' Abcarian Shifts from KTZN to KABC

(December 11, 1997) Former Los Angeles Times columnist and KTZN morning drive co-host, Robin Abcarian, is subbing for KABC's midday talker Ronn Owens. She sounds very confident and comfortable in this environment.

The BEAT's Morning Show at Hard Rock Cafe

(December 13, 1997) If you live in Southern California, there is an opportunity to meet KKBT's morning crew next Wednesday. John London and the House Party will be broadcasting from the Beverly Center's Hard Rock Cafe. Bring a toy to get in.

Sluggo Returns to the ROQ

(December 14, 1997) Sluggo is back on KROQ for evenings. Doug the Slug Roberts worked at "K-Roq" from 1992-96 before joining WXRK-New York.

Former KLSX pd Surfaces

(December 18, 1997) Caught up with the former pd of KLSX, Perry Michael Simon. He emailed: "Left KLSX in 1996, became a consultant to a bunch of radio stations and Executive VP/West Coast for Sabo Media as well as doing Internet work for All Access and computer work for the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation (Steven Spielberg's multimedia project). I still live in the L.A. area, where I shuttle between two offices 40 miles apart and rarely get enough sleep. I'm looking forward to picking up your book - everybody who has is ultra-enthusiastic about it." ( psimon@allaccess.com )

Roger Barkley Dies

(December 22, 1997) Roger Barkley, one half of the enormously successful team of Lohman & Barkley that reigned supreme on Southern California radio for a quarter of a century, died Sunday night. He was 61.

KIBB Gets Mega Name Change

(December 24, 1997) KIBB has a new name. 100.3 received over 60,000 entries to name the station. The winning entry won $25,000. Joe "Boomer" Servantez announced at 3 o'clock this afternoon that the station has a new name - "Mega 100." And you think it is tough to come up with a new identity?